Mount Madison Rescue

timmus said:

Easy Button, improved

Thanks for the idea.

Jul

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Hey, shouldn't he be riding a mountain bike on some alpine tundra as well!?!?

-Dr. Wu

dr_wu002 said:

Hey, shouldn't he be riding a mountain bike on some alpine tundra as well!?!?

-Dr. Wu

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That's his friend's activity



Easy Button + Idiot

timmus said:

Let me explain. After all traumatic, embarrassing, near-death experience I had (not a lot, but still), I usually laughed at it as soon as it was over. Saying : oh, just another story to tell...And make a funny story out of it.

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The difference between an epic adventure and a tragedy is, if you survive, it was an epic adventure.

The Union Leader had a bit more info today. Apparently they went up the Madison Gulf Trail, pretty aggressive this time of year, and they did plan to stay at the Madison Hut. They were described as inadequately prepared for winter conditions etc. The SAR person was concerened about hypothermia later in the night; they were hunkered down just below treeline.

It makes it easier to understand why they did not just run down the Valley Way but harder to understand their overall game plan.

Glad they are ok and no one was hurt getting to them.

I think Timmus' drawing is a fair representation of these idiots. With a headlamp I dont think there's any excuse they couldn't get out themselves.

5 miles, roughly, out to the Great Gulf Trailhead? Come on!! A 10 mile day is pretty easily attainable at their/my age. Anyone in fair shape for that matter.

Then again they most likely were headlampless, therefore, even more absent minded.

I guess I just dont have much tolerance for this, I'm signing out on this one.

Sleeping bear--Thanks for posting the Union Leader article, which seemed to have a bit more info that the first article.

I'm glad to hear that these kids made it out of the woods OK. Sounds like they were unprepared for their hike, which is unfortunate, but then again, I have to admit that Ryan and I have gotten into a few situations while hiking where we were probably unprepared too... We were just lucky enough to not get in so over our heads that we had to call for a rescue ! And for that, I am thankful...

I am sure these kids learned their lesson, and will be much more careful in the future. I guess it just goes to show that you can never underestimate the mountains, especially the Pressies!

As I mention every time the Lords of the Boards start in after another rescue attempt, we have to learn somewhere. If Al Gore hadn't invented the internet, it would be much tougher to hear about these things. But, I found myself in similar situations that these people did when I was of a similar age. The only difference was it was before cell phones so I didn't have a "crutch" to lean on.

Hopefully, they have learned their lesson and won't make the same mistake again.

ahh come one now Its fun ripping folks for stupidity. These "new details" throw fuel on the fire. Going up one of the top 5 toughest trails in the whites, to get to an closed hut, on a hypothermic weekend, after heavy rains, with people who didn't have the gas to get there - just reeks of negligence.

this is just our take on it. its good clean fun!!!!!!!!

Several times when I was the age of these three hikers, I drove a car while drunk. Therefore, while I would love to pontificate about these idiots being young and stupid and unprepared and showing poor judgement...that would make me an absolute, total, 100% hypocrite. And we all know how ridiculous hypocrites look, don't we?

Saw lot's of people how looked unprepaired last weekend, many of them old enough to know better.

Just can't get my head around heading above treeline in 3-6" snow wearing jeans, cotton tee shirt, light wind breaker and running shoes. Saw more than a couple people doing this???

It is hard for a lot of us to believe - but, a lot of people who hike are not hikers, or hiking enthusiasts. They do not participate in online forums, read books on the subject or spend all of their money on gear.
These people were lucky...they were attempting a very serious hike with gear that was more inline with a walk in the park.

I agree we should not pillory them, and certainly I am no Lord of the Board ( but that is a great title), but I am not so sure it is inappropriate to point out how dangerous it is to walk up that hard a trail in unsettled weather to a hut which is closed, with no preparation for bad weather. One quick look at the weather and the briefest of research would give them some idea, and even an unseasoned hiker can do that. The weather lately has been all over the news!

Part of it is just baffling.I travel light as those things go, but come on! They could have scrapped the sleeping bags and brought headlamps ! My 13 year old (I think )would have more sense. For me, I don't mean to be judgmental, I just cannot understand it. Wandering up the Valley way would be easier to comprehend.

the freakin' hut wasn't even open yet!!!!

the freakin' hut wasn't even open yet!!!!

They HAVE to be rescued; if we let the naive die there'll be no one to sell our old gear to.

Actually I think I'm on to something: SAR's should be sponsored by CAMPMOR, EMS and REI and then enforce fines, jail time OR "Accelerated Rehab" at a local mountain shop.

Rescue

Facts - as learned first hand from rescuers:

The conditions were near winter when the party was found, blowing snow, temps in 20s. Party had to be warmed, dry clothes and warm beverages were brought in and assisted by the three AVSAR volunteer rescuers who found them and escorted them all the way down
Trail conditions were wintry, water crossings on Mad Gulf trail were frequent and hazardous. Snow was drifted to thigh deep in spots
The group was not well prepared and in need of assistance, morning may not have brought them the relief and help they needed
The group was hiked up to Madison Hut and then down Valley way. the party was in rough shape - it took 5 hours to descend from the Hut

AND:
-Be prepared, everyone makes mistakes, everyone has been there- the rescued were humbled by their experience

-One cell phone barely worked, the other was dead- Dont rely on cell phones!

-Thank goodness everyone will be OK.

-SAR volunteers do this because they want to help those in need

Another newpaper report: Norwich Bulletin

It says they stopped at Pinkham to check the weather report.

I wonder if they had originally planned on hiking to Crag Camp or Grey Knob and got delayed by the conditions.

Chip said:

"Accelerated Rehab" at a local mountain shop.

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I wanna go to "Accelerated Rehab"!!!

Seriously though, I too think that this was a case of people simply not knowing what to expect. Should they have turned around sooner? Absolutely, but they probably figured that they were tired and that they were closer to the hut than to the road. Their plan was to stay at the hut and then hike out the next day. Given their situation, it made sense to keep going up. When they got there and found it closed, they were probably scared, cold, exhusted and defeated. Under those circumstances, they made the right call and clearly SAR thought so too.

On summer in High School, some friends and I headed up Adams as our first hike via Airline with no packs, lights, layers, water... nothing but the sneakers on our feet. The only information we had was a look at the trail in the DeLorme atlas. We started in the afternoon and were benighted on the way down. Luckily, nothing traumatic happened though we were very scared at the time. Does this story sound a little familiar? Chances are, we've all headed out completely unprepared at some point. Let's cut a little slack and chalk it up to ignorance. Thankfully everyone made it out safe and sound. I do have to wonder if they passed anyone who might have been able to see that they weren't prepared and who could have warned them.

Yesterday, someone that I took out on a couple of short "relaxed pace" hikes made known in a public forumn their intention of heading up Washington today. This person's gear and experience were *just* suitable for the Welch-Dickey Loop! I contacted the person and cautioned them strongly about the current conditions on Washington and offered an alternate hike that would be far better suited for them and which they said they would persue. I firmly believe that those of us who have a knowledge of the mountains, trails, and conditions have a responcibility to share this information whenever we think someone may be about to get themselves into trouble. While they may not always listen, we have to try. It just might save their life.

Did the rescuers say where they were when they were found??

dreamstream said:

Saw lot's of people how looked unprepaired last weekend, many of them old enough to know better.

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So how old is "old enough to know better?" I might be in my 40's going to the Northern Presis for my VERY FIRST HIKE. Or I could be 20 and a "seasoned veteran" on my 23rd trip up the trail. Looks can be very deceiving…..

regardless, these guys SHOULD have done their homework and looked into the hut being open.....would you drive 5 hours to a remote spot and hope that the hotel isn't full? A bit of planning could have made their stay in the Whites a bit more comfortable....